- March 5, 2026
- 10:20 pm
- Middle East
Ukraine received an official request from the United States for support in countering Iranian Shahed-type strike drones, which are increasingly used in conflicts in the Middle East. On March 5, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this, emphasizing that Kyiv is ready to share its experience in combating this threat.
This is not about military intervention, but about sharing practical experience that the Ukrainian army has accumulated over years of war with Russia. Ukraine has become one of the few countries to face the large-scale use of Iranian drones and has effectively turned into a laboratory for modern methods of countering such attacks.
Ukraine offers experience in combating Shaheds
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the US has approached Ukraine for assistance in protecting against Iranian drones in the Middle East region.
According to the head of state, Kyiv has already instructed the relevant structures to prepare support, including technical means and the participation of specialists capable of helping partners enhance their security.
However, the details of the cooperation are not yet disclosed. Zelensky limited himself to explaining that this is about expanding international cooperation in the field of defense.
“Ukraine helps partners who help our security and the protection of our people’s lives,” the president stated.
According to him, Ukraine’s participation in strengthening the defense of countries subjected to attacks by Iranian drones simultaneously enhances the country’s own security.
Contacts with Gulf states
The Ukrainian side is actively negotiating with Middle Eastern countries facing the drone threat.
The coordination of these contacts is led by Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Negotiations are taking place with both the United States and regional countries, particularly the Gulf states.
According to Zelensky, this is about forming a broader system of cooperation where Ukrainian experience in countering drones can be in demand in different countries.
Earlier, the President of Ukraine also reported on negotiations with the leaders of Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain. These contacts discuss the possibility of transferring Ukrainian technologies and practical experience in combating Iranian drones.
Ukraine does not plan to send troops to the Middle East
Despite talks of expanding cooperation, Kyiv emphasizes that direct participation of Ukrainian military in operations in the Middle East is not being considered.
Deputy Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Major General Vadym Skibitsky stated that Ukraine does not intend to send troops on foreign missions.
According to him, Kyiv primarily offers expert assistance.
Ukrainian military possesses unique knowledge about the use of Iranian drones. During the war against Russia, the Ukrainian army studied the tactics of launching such drones, their routes, targeting methods, and interception techniques.
Skibitsky noted that Ukrainian specialists are capable of analyzing launch directions, attack time intervals, and drone flight trajectories—data that is of great importance for air defense systems.
The scale of the drone threat is growing
Ukrainian intelligence records a rapid increase in the number of attacks using Shaheds.
If at the beginning of the war Russia used about thirty such drones per month, now the count goes into hundreds.
In one episode, according to the Ukrainian side, more than 800 drones of various types were used in a single day. This record showed how quickly the nature of modern warfare is changing.
The Ukrainian air defense system has adapted to the new threat. It is built on a multi-level model: mobile fire groups, anti-aircraft missile systems, electronic warfare means, and early detection systems.
Such a combination of means has significantly increased the effectiveness of drone interception.
Why Ukraine’s experience has become in demand worldwide
Ukraine has effectively become the first country to face the large-scale use of Iranian drones in a real war.
Therefore, the experience accumulated by the Ukrainian military is considered one of the most practical in the world. It includes tactical solutions, defense organization, and the interaction of different air defense systems.
Against this backdrop, international partners are increasingly turning to Kyiv for consultations and knowledge exchange.
Analysts note that Ukraine’s cooperation with Middle Eastern countries may also have political significance. Some countries in the region have economic and diplomatic influence on Russia, making them important players in discussing the future end of the war.
As observers note, the new line of cooperation between Ukraine, the US, and Gulf countries shows how the experience of modern warfare is beginning to shape the international security system.
It is precisely such processes, related to the global consequences of the war and new defense alliances, that NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency regularly analyzes, tracking how the Ukrainian front gradually influences the security of the Middle East and Europe.
Given the growing drone threat, cooperation in this area may become one of the key directions of international defense policy in the coming years.